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McLaren Formula 1 leaders Zak Brown and Andrea Stella pointed to rival drivers for the crash between Piastri and Lando Norris at the start of the US GP sprint race.

The Australian driver, ahead of Norris in the championship by twenty-two points, crashed into his fellow McLaren driver after making contact with the Hulkenberg.

The crash took both McLaren drivers from the race, along with Aston Martin's Alonso, who was on the inner side of the Sauber driver.

McLaren Leaders Express Disappointment Over Incident

Zak Brown, the team's chief executive officer, stated to Sky Sports that some of the racing at the front was "inexperienced", remarking: "Obviously Hulkenberg made contact with Piastri and he had no reason being where he was."

The team boss Andrea Stella added: "Our feeling is that we are displeased that we were denied the chance to compete."

"It's surprising that some racers with a lot of experience don't act with necessary care. Enter the first corner, ensure you don't damage competitors and continue."

The team indicated that Stella was referring to both Hulkenberg and the Aston Martin driver.

Differing Perspectives on the Incident

Nevertheless, former champion Hill, providing analysis for BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, said he thought Piastri had not demonstrated enough understanding of the dangers of the first corner of an F1 race when he chose to cut back to try to overtake Norris.

Piastri had a stronger launch than the Briton and at first competed on the outside on the ascending approach to the corner.

But he then cut back in an attempt to get a advantage on Norris on the way out, only to hit Hulkenberg.

Racer Comments After the Collision

The McLaren driver said: "Not ideal but I haven't seen what occurred, I tried to move inside on Norris and we were both very far from the apex and then were struck and it sent me into Norris. Unfortunate."

Norris said: "I just got hit, right? I did nothing wrong. Behind us events unfolded and I just got unlucky and got hit because of it. I am unsure. I need to look a bit more thoroughly. It's more drivers further back just being a bit reckless and we are the result of that."

The Aston Martin driver said: "At one point I believed I was in the right place on the inside, but some vehicles came very quickly from the outer side switching back and then I was there in the center."

The Sauber driver, who had qualified a season-best fourth, said: "Major disappointment. All the strong performance from the previous day in the bin. Just chaotic."

"Piastri steered inward pretty aggressively trying to get the inside line and exit of the first corner but I cannot vanish."

"I had Fernando attack on the inner side and I couldn't see him any more. I wanted to provide room for him and then Oscar steered inward and the contact was unavoidable."

Aftermath and McLaren's Reaction

The team will analyze the crash with their drivers but only after the race weekend. Both vehicles needed significant repairs before qualifying session at 22:00 BST on Saturday.

Stella said: "Overall displeased but we accept it, we are now concentrating on repairing the cars, there is a lot to do and then we will restart the weekend from there."

"Our team holds a competitive place from our competitiveness point of view so I trust we have the possibility to race, race normally and utilize our capabilities."

"Championship points are the most important thing, I prefer not to talk about mal-intent, just prudence. A little more care would be beneficial for everyone."

Standings Impact

The sprint event was won by Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who closed in on both McLaren drivers in the championship - he is now 55 points behind Piastri and thirty-three behind of the Briton.

The team boss said: "The consequence is what the maths says - we lost eight points with both racers, but we concentrate on ourselves. We have a highly capable vehicle and two skilled drivers. We anticipate just some standard competition."

The Red Bull driver said he was approaching the title race race by race.

US GP

17-19 October, with race from 20:00 BST on Sunday

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